The heat and humidity of summer can take its toll on your body and it can also be harmful for your skin if you don’t take the proper precautions. Dr. Tanda Lane, of Lane Dermatology, recently answered some questions for the Ledger-Enquirer on summer skin care. The following interview has been edited for length and clarity. What are the most pervasive effects of the summer heat and humidity on someone’s skin? Excess heat increases sweat production and the humidity hinders its ability to evaporate away from the skin. This means more oil is available to clog pores which can exacerbate […]
Amid a table full of trays stacked with tortilla chips at Moe’s Southwest Grill in Augusta, Shelby Kenrick proudly holds up a bag of apple slices. The 17-year-old from North Augusta is also the rare teen who thinks about fiber. “That’s what I eat for breakfast,” she said, in the form of fiber bars. Not many teens in Augusta are following her example, and it could have serious health consequences, said researchers at the Georgia Prevention Institute at Georgia Health Sciences University. A study of more than 550 adolescents ages 14-18 recruited from Augusta high schools found that on average […]
Many of my patients are battling with weight issues and are always asking me how they can boost their metabolism so they can lose weight. They’re confused
Our culture is finally starting to view the food that we eat as a potential medicine chest. Every day, scientists are discovering more and more that certain herbs, spices, and leaves offer curative powers that can help us overcome disease. Bharat B. Aggarwal, Ph.D. has understood this concept since childhood. He was raised in India, a land devoted to the spice box. Indian cuisine often relies on 10–20 spices in just one recipe. “Spices originated in India, Indonesia, and other parts of south and southeast Asia,” says Aggarwal in his book Healing Spices. He goes on to say, “Sanskrit writings […]
With summer on the horizon, Golden Isles residents and visitors will begin flocking to the beaches. As the sun moves more directly overhead and the ultraviolet index rises, the use of sunscreen becomes even more important. Most people know that overexposure to the sun’s powerful ultraviolet rays is damaging, but too many still aren’t doing enough to protect themselves. Approximately one in five people will develop some sort of skin cancer in their lifetime, and area residents need to take precautions seriously. “Everyone should care about skin cancer in the area, as we are exposed to a higher amount of […]
Dear Reader, There are many reasons that my patients consider laser hair removal. Whether it’s a woman who doesn’t want to shave her legs anymore to a man who is tired of the painful tweezing of that unattractive hair between his eyebrows. Regardless these grooming chores raise many questions with my patients. It used to be that if you wanted to permanently remove hair, electrolysis was your only option. In the electrolysis procedure, an electric current is used to damage hair follicles so they no longer grow. Many people find it to be very painful. Laser hair removal provides a less […]
You may be surprised to learn that until 2002, no standard definition for chronic kidney disease (CKD) existed within the medical community (Medscape, 2010). Before then, conflicting classifications had created a state of confusion as to how many Americans were afflicted with this progressive, life-threatening condition. Once proper categorization of the various phases of CKD was established, the stark and daunting scale of this modern epidemic emerged. We now know that as many as 26 million Americans currently suffer from some form of chronic kidney disease (US Renal Data System 2009; National Kidney Foundation 2009). Aging individuals are especially vulnerable […]
Looking to lose a little weight? If that’s the case, according to a recently published clinical trial, you should try green coffee bean. Now, we’re not talking about drinking tons of coffee to increase caffeine intake, which can also help to lose weight — this is something different. What we’re talking about with this study is an extract derived from green coffee beans. These young coffee beans are rich in chlorogenic acid, an antioxidant currently known for helping to tame blood sugar spikes. As it turns out, that samechlorogenic acid may also be able to help you drop some pounds. Pretty convenient, […]
WALNUT CREEK, Calif. – James Revier, of San Jose, Calif., had no idea his heartburn was anything more than a nuisance until six years ago, when a piece of beef became logged in his esophagus and sent him to the emergency room. The on-call internist removed the meat and suggested Revier see a gastroenterologist for the lingering redness. It’s a good thing he did. Revier had developed Barrett’s esophagus, a condition caused by prolonged acid reflux. Over time, it produces cellular changes which can lead to adenocarcinoma, a type of esophageal cancer. “I’d had acid reflux for 15 years but […]
Many of my patients tell me that in an effort to eat a healthier diet they’ve given up their favorite Italian foods like pizza, lasagna,

